The Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC) has completed its 2011 tourism grant funding recommendations.

The BTAC recommended funding for 10 projects ranging in amounts from $25,000 to $600.

Blaine City Council will make the final determination in early December, said Debbie Harger, Blaine’s community development director.

The highest recommendations on the list are $25,000 each for the lighthouse resurrection project and the Plover ferry, run by Drayton Harbor Maritime.

In all, BTAC recommended a total of $107,000 in funding.

Harger estimates about $180,000 in tourism funds will be available.

The funds come from a special Blaine tax on hotels and motels within the city.

In addition to the tourism grants, the hotel/motel tax also pays for Blaine’s visitor information center and marketing for the city.   

 2011 BTAC Tourism Grant Recommendations

• International Sculpture Exhibit    $10,000
• Semiahmoo Lighthouse Resurrection    $25,000
• Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism Marketing and Advertising    $10,000
• Blaine Old Fashioned Fourth of July   $13,000
• Blaine Jazz Festival    $20,000
• Spring Fest    $1,000
• Drayton Harbor Days    $1,000
• The Plover ferry    $25,000
• Wings Over Water Birding Festival $2,000
• Blaine Gardener’s Market    $600

For more information, visit www.cityofblaine.com.